Tumwater School District No.33

Tumwater School District No. 33 serves the City of Tumwater and beyond. It’s the third largest district in Thurston County, serving over 6,000 students. Within the district are six elementary schools, two middle schools and two high school. The district also includes the New Market Skills Center, which provides career and technical education to a range of high schools in the area. 

The school district works closely with the City do develop policies that support safe routes to schools, traffic control and enforcement in school zones, and fosters a healthy community for children and families.

New Market Skills Center is a consortium of schools that provides career and technical education to high school students.

Visit the Tumwater School District website or call (360) 709-7000 for more information.

Keeping kids safe

The City of Tumwater and Tumwater School District work together to keep our schools safe. The City  provides one police officer to serve as the School Resource Officer (SRO) to Tumwater and Black Hills High School.  The SRO works with school and community partner staff, participates in training and collaborate with the District to disseminate safe school policies, model ethics and foster leadership among the students.  

Higher Education

South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA, (360) 754-7711

The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA, (360) 867-6000

St. Martin's University, Lacey, WA, (360) 491-4700

Brandman University, Lacey, WA, (360) 493-6392

Intercity Transit

Thurston County’s public transit service provider

By Bus – Use Intercity Transit trip planner to find bus routes and schedules.

Dial-a-lift – a door-to-door, shared-ride public transportation service for people with disabilities that prevent them from using our regular bus service. Service available for qualified individuals, where and when regular buses operate.

By Train – daily service from the Lacey Centennial Station to the metropolitan centers of Portland and Seattle with connections beyond. Passenger trains are operated by Amtrak.

Park & Ride – Find locations to park and commute on Intercity Transit.  Visit Intercity Transit or  call (360) 786-1881, toll free 1-800-287-6348 or TTY (360) 943-5211. 

Bicycle – Maps and bicycling information available through the Thurston Regional Planning Council website. Online maps and pick-up locations are available on their website.

Express Bus Service from Tumwater Park & Ride

Intercity Transit's Express Route 609 provides weekday service between Tumwater and Lakewood with connections to Seattle. Park free at the Tumwater Park & Ride lot at Bonniewood Drive and Israel Road or at Hawks Prairie Park & Ride Lot to catch Route 609. This route and several other Express and local routes, also serves the Olympia Transit Center. Fare is $3 each way. Monthly passes are also available. Find Express Route maps and schedules:

Call Intercity Transit for more information at (360) 786-8585, 1-800-287-6348 (Outside Thurston County) or TTY (360) 943-5211. 

Other programs

Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll program offers classes, events, and activities that educate and encourage Thurston County residents to get around safely by walking, biking, rolling and riding public transit. Call (360) 705-5839 for more information.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord 

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), the sixth largest military base in the nation, is located just 20 minutes from Tumwater. Our community is home to soldiers, families and service personnel. The Joint Base contributes to economic activity throughout the region.

17th Field Artillery Brigade - Tumwater's Community Connector

The JBLM Community Connector program provides benefits to communities and soldiers. The program enhances understanding of the military and JBLM, and develops strong and positive community partnerships. Through this program, Tumwater benefits from volunteer service provided by the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (formerly 17th Fires Brigade) soldiers, such as construction of the picnic shelter at Pioneer Park in 2012. By investing time in City events and service projects, soldiers and families form an appreciation for the community, and strengthen interpersonal ties.

Military personnel and their families are invited to participate in community events and activities sponsored by the City and community. In 2012, soldiers and their families participated in Community Day, the 4th of July parade and Artesian Festival, and a variety of public meetings. Building relationships through this partnership can support the strength, resilience, and readiness of soldiers and their families. The City of Tumwater has celebrated this partnership connection with the 17th Fires Brigade since 2008.

South Sound Military and Communities Partnership

Tumwater supports the South Sound Military and Communities Partnership, a collaborative association composed of municipal, state, military and stakeholder agencies in the region surrounding JBLM. The board provides a single point of contact for military-related growth and activity that affects the region. By streamlining organizations, agencies, and community communication into one association, the Partnership supports entities that carry out recommendations in the JBLM Growth Coordination Plan.

LOTT Clean Water Alliance

LOTT Clean Water Alliance is a non-profit interjurisdictional corporation that is organized to provide wastewater management services for the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County. Services include wastewater treatment, reclaimed water production, and long-range planning. LOTT’s facilities include two treatment plants, three pump stations, and sewer interceptor and reclaimed water distribution pipelines.

Reclaimed Water

The Water Utility is coordinating with LOTT to provide access to reclaimed water to our residents and businesses. Planning for reclaimed water is underway, as our sewer treatment provider and reclaimed water producer, the LOTT Clean Water Alliance, prepares to bring reclaimed water to our community. Reclaimed water is treated to Class A Reclaimed Water standards – water that is clean enough for public contact and almost any use except drinking. It's ideal for many high-demand non-drinking purposes, allowing communities to stretch their water supplies by matching the type of water they use to actual needs. Class A Reclaimed Water can be used for a wide variety of uses, including:

• Irrigation (golf courses, parks, and landscaping)
• Commercial and industrial processes
• Dust suppression
• Decorative fountains and ponds
• Streamflow and wetland enhancement
• Groundwater recharge

In 2015, the LOTT Clean Water Alliance completed construction of a reclaimed water storage tank under the T Street Park. This one million gallon storage tank allows the City of Tumwater to irrigate the Tumwater Valley Municipal Golf Course with Class A Reclaimed Water. In 2019, the golf course used almost 37 million gallons of reclaimed water.

Groundwater Scientific Study

The City of Tumwater is participating with our partners at the LOTT Clean Water Alliance to take an in-depth look at infiltrating reclaimed water within our communities. For more information multi-year, extensive study, visit the LOTT Clean Water Alliance Reclaimed Water Study.

Urban Density Septic System Review

On June 29, 2011, fifteen elected officials from the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, and Thurston County gathered to discuss septic systems and related impacts to our local water resources. The goals of the summit were to develop a common understanding of key issues associated with on-site septic systems in high density areas and the scope of these issues in our communities; review existing policies and programs related to septic systems and their conversion to the sewer system; examine the effectiveness of those existing policies and programs; and determine if there is interest in developing a cooperative or collective approach to addressing the issues.

Since that initial gathering, the staff from each of the local jurisdictions have been meeting to develop a deeper understanding of wastewater issues facing our collective communities, define a current inventory of septic systems, review capitol programs to extend sanitary service to the urbanized areas and examine policies that the future of our communities rely upon for safe, clean water – for drinking and the environment.

Port of Olympia

The City of Tumwater works in partnership with the Port of Olympia to create jobs and increase the vibrancy of the community. The Port has two lines of business in Tumwater, the regional airport and the New Market Industrial Campus. The airport is a general aviation airport with limited airport-related activities. The port’s primary use of the property is for real estate tenants ranging from limited fixed base operations to restaurants and light manufacturing.

Port mission to promote economic development

Ports are municipal corporations organized as a special purpose district in Washington State. Ports are the only public agency whose primary mission is to promote economic development in partnership with private business and other governmental entities. The Port of Olympia has a shipping terminal, airport, industrial properties, marina, and the Boatworks. The Port also sponsors a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).

Tumwater encompasses three port districts, each with its own land use and development requirements.

Airport Master Plan 

New Market Industrial Campus and the Cleanwater Center  (formerly Tumwater Town Center)

History of ports

The establishment of ports began in the early 1900s. In 1911, many states were facing the problem of private ownership of the waterfront enabling a monopoly by a few parties to charge prices for access to the waterfront. The Washington State Legislature addressed the issue and created law allowing establishment of ports within counties. Washington Public Ports Districts were initially authorized to provide marine shipping facilities, rail, and water transfer facilities. Since then, additional authorities were granted to build and operate airports in 1941, establish industrial development districts in 1955, develop trade centers in 1967, and develop economic development programs and promote tourism in the 1980s. Many port laws have been in place since 1911 with the most important provision remaining where ports are governed by federal and state laws. (courtesy of Municipal Research & Services Center)

Learn more...

Visit the Port of Olympia website or call (360) 528-8000 for more information.

Thurston Economic Development Council (Thurston EDC)

Thurston EDC works to attract new investment to Tumwater and the Thurston County community by forging strong relationships with local partners and enhancing the collective prosperity of our community. We participate with organizations throughout the region to ensure that Thurston County plays an appropriate role on the regional economic stage, which encourages our economic future.

Browse to the Thurston EDC website, visit the office at 665 Woodland Square Loop SE, #201, Lacey, WA  98503 or call (360) 754-6320 for more information. 

Business Resource Center

The Business Resource Center (BRC) supports business with services and resources to achieve their first or next success. Resources are available to help businesses to  be successful in our community. 

• Find information about business and tax regulations unique to Washington State and Thurston County. 
• Small Business Development Center (a program of South Puget Sound Community College) is co-located with the EDC, to provide established businesses expert business advising, management training and market research.
• Starting a Business—resources to successfully navigate a business start-up.

Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

The Thurston County Chamber is a membership supported business benefits organization with a community stewardship mission. Thurston County Chamber provides programs and networking opportunities to help businesses in the community to flourish and grow. Programs include a small business incubator, leadership training, worksite wellness, green business, buy local and buyers guide. 

Visit the Thurston County Chamber website or call (360) 357-3362.

Tumwater Chamber of Commerce

The Tumwater Chamber is a membership with a mission to promote, inform, and advocate for businesses and the community. Programs include a small business incubator and bi-monthly networking opportunities. 

Visit the Tumwater Chamber website or call (360) 357-5153.

Thurston Regional Planning Council

Thurston Regional Planning Council  (TRPC) ensures that Tumwater continues to be a great place to live, work and play. TRPC carries out locally focused plans, researches topics like transportation, land use, growth management, and environment quality. It’s made up of policymakers from 21 jurisdictions and organizations within Thurston County who meet monthly to discuss the challenges of growth. 

Looking for more information about Thurston County, Washington? Check out Thurston Regional Planning Council’s online version of The Profile for data and trends.

• Statistical Profiles for the county, cities, and tribes
• History and Geography
• Population and Demographics
• Housing and Real Estate
• Employment
• Economics
• Education and Quality of Life
• Transportation
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Governance and Social Services

Planning partnerships

Transportation Policy Board (TPB) - an advisory board for TRPC regional transportation issues

Tumwater Library

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) system operates the region’s library system. TRL services are funded primarily by property tax dollars and user fees to benefit the community. Through this partnership, the City owns and maintains the Tumwater Library facility at 7023 New Market Street (adjacent to City Hall), Tumwater, WA  98501. It’s an example of how partnerships can benefit the community. The Tumwater Library began in 1965 in a storefront at the Southgate Shopping Center located on Capitol Boulevard and Trosper Road. A new library in its current location, adjacent to Tumwater City Hall, opened in March 1995.

Location

Tumwater Timberland Library
7023 New Market Street
Tumwater, WA  98501
(360) 943-7790

Learn more...

Visit the Tumwater Timberland Library website or call (360) 943-7790  for library hours and additional information.

Non-City Utilities

The City of Tumwater provides general governmental services authorized by state law, including public safety (police, fire and emergency medical services), highways and streets, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, permits and inspections, general administration, and water, sewer and stormwater utility services. Other services are provided by partner public agencies, nonprofits, and private companies. For your convenience, a list of common services and links to providers is available below for new residents has been provided. See our Welcome Page for more information.

Electricity & Natural Gas

Puget Sound Energy is the primary electric utility service provider for Tumwater and surrounding communities.  Visit the PSE website or call 1-888-225-5773. Call Before You Dig: 8-1-1 (a free underground utility location service)

Power Outage Information

For 24/7 access to real-time power outage information, including estimates of when the power will come back on to your home or business, view the outage map, or call 1-888-225-5773. 

Garbage & Recycling 

Thurston County Solid Waste and Recovery Center (Public) & Hazo House
Self-haul solid waste and recycling to the facility seven days per week. The Hazo House has special hours of operation and takes most hazardous household substances.

Browse to Thurston County Solid Waste program website or call (360) 867-2491 for more information.

Trash Collection

LeMay/Pacific Disposal/Waste Connections, Inc. provides curbside trash and recycling collection and hauling services to Tumwater and Thurston County residents.

Contact Customer Service by email or call (360) 923-0111.